Miller Homes, Wates and the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) will reveal how you can cut waste management costs and improve efficiency on the building site at the Recycling & Waste Management Exhibition (RWM), taking place at the Birmingham NEC from 15 to 17 September 2009. Register now at www.rwmexhibition.com/epress2 for free fast-track entry and seminar updates.

According to the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the construction sector accounts for 32 per cent of all the waste produced in the UK - that’s over 100 million tonnes of waste each year. But a staggering 90% reduction in construction waste could be achieved through more modern working practices and off-site manufacturing*. An entire day of free seminars at RWM on 16 September will show you how. In the Business Seminar Theatre, Stephen Wielebski, divisional development director for Miller Homes will give a developer’s perspective on construction waste and the issues with recycling, Paul Elliot, supply chain manager for Wates will present a case study on achieving the holy grail of zero waste and WRAP’s programme manager for materials recycling, Mike Falconer Hall will examine the roles each part of the construction supply chain can play in meeting government targets to halve construction waste to landfill by 2012. Meanwhile, in a newly introduced Energy & Water seminar theatre, Envirowise, will share knowledge that could help you to improve your resource management.

Throughout the three-day show RWM exhibitors will be showcasing the latest methods of sorting and handling construction and demolition waste for reuse and recycling. Case Construction will launch its new 21 and 24 tonne excavators as well as the 821EXRecycler and Master Magnets will exhibit new separation equipment that can remove the metal contaminants (i.e. nails) from wood waste, increasing the value of the recycled woodchip that is now used in playgrounds, pathways, gardens and parks. Other major names in vehicle and plant technology include Mercedez-Benz, Isuzu, WCR, Liebherr, Manvik Hire, Terex, Hammel, Broxap and Continental Plant Services.

Also exhibiting at RWM will be compliance companies, consultants and waste management contractors who can advise you of your legal obligations. Site Waste Management Plans for example force construction companies to detail the amount and type of waste that will be produced on projects worth more than £300,000 including how it will be recycled and disposed of.

Gerry Sherwood, RWM’s event manager, urges construction companies to send their staff to the show: “New targets and regulations* have made it more important than ever to establish an environmentally sound waste strategy, not only to manage costs and reputation, but also to minimise the impact of stringent new legislation and demanding recycling targets on business processes. Landfill disposal costs are increasing and times are tough for all industries, but particularly those in the building sector. RWM is designed to help you stay up to date with the latest regulation and technologies, which could ultimately make a crucial difference to your profitability.”

Find out more and pre-register at www.rwmexhibition.com/epress2

Press information:

Anna Dunbar or Doug Bentall,
Iona Communications Ltd,
Tel: 01892 512481
E-mail: anna@ionacommunications.com or doug@ionacommunications.com

*Waste – your bottom line:

• The Government’s Waste Strategy for England 2007 sets out a target to halve building and excavation waste going to landfill by 2012
• Landfill tax just went up 25% from £32 to £40 per tonne and the Chancellor confirmed in his budget that it will also go up by a further £8 per tonne every year until 2013
• Waste typically costs up to 4% of a company’s turnover (Defra 2007)
• A staggering 90% reduction in construction waste could be achieved through more modern working practises and off-site manufacturing (Defra 2007)
• 400 million tonnes of solid material are used in the UK construction industry each year, but only two thirds is added to the building stock. The rest is sent directly to landfill. (Defra 2007)
• During a time of oversupply, 95 per cent of the UK’s biggest construction companies will use a subcontractor’s environmental credentials as a key factor in deciding how to award contracts (NetRegs.gov.uk, May 2009)

About Emap Connect

Emap Connect houses the UK’s biggest exhibitions portfolio plus the world’s most powerful advertising festival, Cannes Lions. Exhibition brands include RWM, Spring Fair, Autumn Fair, Premier Kids, Interbuild and BETT. Emap Connect facilitates face-to-face interaction for business communities, either to buy and sell things, to share knowledge or to scrutinise new business ideas. See www.emap.com